Hobart Hurricanes join battle for AB de Villiers

Hobart Hurricanes are the latest club after Sydney Thunders to entice Proteas super star AB de Villiers. The battle to get the right hander into the Big Bash League (BBL) could well turn into a bidding war. There have been reports that both the franchises are looking to possess the services of the skilled batter.

Though, it has been reported that the Hurricanes’ are looking to have him for the 8th edition of BBL as both of Hobart’s international slots are believed to already be assigned to two yet-to-be-revealed players for this season. New Cricket Tasmania chief executive Nick Cummins believes the club will be in a strong position to land de Villiers for the league in 2018.

Cummins had previously tried to sign the South African ODI captain when he was in charge of Thunders but now he is a firm believer that Gary Kirsten being the coach gives the Hobart an edge in picking him.

“I’ve been talking to his manager for the past two years while at the Thunder, so we just change the colour of that conversation and continue those conversations,” Cummins said in Hobart on Friday. “We’ve obviously got an inside running with Gary Kirsten. I’ve had a chat with Gary and he’s going to sound out AB as well. There’s an existing relationship with AB there, and I think we are as good a chance as any team,” he continued.

De Villiers won’t play BBL this summer

Nick, however, is not convinced with the fact that Sydney Thunders would be able to secure the services of the Proteas skipper this summer. He also challenged Thunders to keep him happy if they manage to obtain his duties as Hurricanes will be having a chat with him next year.

“I would be surprised if AB played Big Bash this summer,” he said. “It would be difficult to have the amount of money that he would command remaining in your salary cap so late into the piece.”Certainly from a salary cap perspective next year, he’s a player that we would be able to afford to get,” Cummins added.

“If the Thunder get him this season, then well done. They better make sure they keep him happy because we will certainly be having a chat with him next year,” Tasmania executive added.